Some On The Right Seem Not Too Keen On It Either: Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and conservative commentator Anne Coulter.

Current Events

However some Republicans are open to this proposal as the start of more negotiations. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to bring Pres. Trump’s proposal to the Senate floor for a vote on Tuesday, which will be day 32 of the partial government shutdown.

June: Federal court ordered gov’t to end to policy & reunify all children separated (then at 2,654) of families who met certain criteria.

Current Events

Latest From New Report:

Widespread practice of separating dates back to at least Summer 2017. Before then, separations were used sparingly.

The total number of children separated is unknown.

In December, HHS identified a total of 2,737 separated children of families who met the reunification criteria, 77% (2,131) of whom were reunified with family.

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What About The Rest?

526 children were released to a sponsor (typically a parent or close relative living in U.S.)

95 children’s parents declined reunification

28 children had a parent deemed unfit & ineligible for reunification

28 children were improperly classified as separated

8 children were in the process of reunification

Current Events

“HHS faced challenges in identifying separated children… The effort undertaken by HHS was complex, fast-moving, and resource-intensive. (The IG) report provides a window into the herculean work of the HHS career staff to ‘rapidly identify children in (its) care who had been separated from their parents and reunify them.”

HHS Statement on IG Report

Current Events

In addition to the minors (under 18) separated from their families or guardians at the border, the gov't has another 10,000 who crossed the border alone (commonly referred to as Unaccompanied Alien Children ) in custody awaiting judicial resolution of their immigration status.

EU Council President says the Brexit deal looks "impossible," suggesting the UK should cancel it altogether. PM May faces a challenge to her leadership on Wednesday that she's expected to survive. She has until Monday to present a back-up plan.

DEMOCRATS DIVE IN

22 months from the next Presidential election, the field gets more crowded.

Who To Know

Current Events

Why So Early?

The earlier you announce you can:

Do Media (Name Recognition)

Raise Money

Travel To Key States

Just *saying* you’re running gets you started, but you still have to register (it’s one form!) & get your name on state ballots (differs state-by-state).

Current Events

“There is one main issue that is central to the rest, and that is the issue of war and peace.”

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) says she will officially announce her candidacy this coming week. Gabbard served in the Army National Guard and deployed twice to Iraq. She's 37 years-old and currently serving her fourth term in congress.

Current Events

“…I’m under no illusion that accomplishing something like Medicare-for-all would be easy. But I do believe that in this nation, in the richest nation on Earth, that not a single person should be without health care when they need it.”

Julián Castro, who served as Housing and Urban Development Secretary in the Obama Administration announced his intention to run for President this weekend in his hometown of San Antonio, where he served as mayor.

Current Events

“What the American people are really looking for is a leader to try to bring us together, not actually talk like half the country’s entirely wrong about everything they believe.”

John Delaney, formerly a Maryland congressman, was the first Democrat to announce his candidacy in 2017. This weekend, he announced he'd only work on bipartisan proposals for his first 100 days in office. He's visited Iowa & New Hampshire, 21 & 12 times respectively, two important early states in presidential elections.

Current Events

Something To Consider:

“If past presidential campaigns are prelude to the present, there’s every reason to believe an unknown will emerge and win the Democratic presidential nod. Barack Obama did it in 2008. Bill Clinton in 1992 and Jimmy Carter in 1976…”

Brad Bannon, Democratic Pollster, Bannon Communications Research

Current Events

30+ candidates may seek the Democrat Party's nomination for President. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) announced in Dec. she has an exploratory committee - a team recognized by the Federal Elections Committee - that's a sign of "seriousness" of intent.

AN EYE ON THE EAST

While the debate rages about security at America’s Southern Border, our Sec. of State heads on a week-long tour of the Middle East to reassure allies of America’s priorities.

But what are they?

SETTING THE TONE 2019

Current Events

Why Is He Going?

Sec. Pompeo’s 2 declared priorities:

U.S. will continue to battle ISIS,but change tactics (withdraw troops from Syria, though he sets no timeline. Nat’l Sec. Advisor Bolton echoed this sentiment in Israel over the wknd).

U.S. will continue to work to thwart Iran & its “dangerous” activities in the Middle East.

Current Events

Why Now?

“This is the reality setting in that you’ve got to plan this out.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), responding to a question about whether the President's declaration that 2,000 U.S. troops will withdraw from Syria was a "mistake." A day after Pres. Trump's announcement, fmr. Sec. of Def Mattis resigned & emphasized the importance of America's allies. NS Advisor John Bolton & Sec. Pompeo are now meeting with key regional Mideast allies.

Current Events

“One day he (President Trump) is saying we are in Syria for the long term to fight Iran. The next day Trump says we’re leaving in 30 days and Iran can do whatever it wants in Syria. It’s impossible to be effective in this environment.”

Ilan Goldenberg, fmr. Obama official, now w/the bipartisan nonprofit Center for a New American Security. Sec. Pompeo plans to speak about America's Middle East policy while in Cairo - the same city Pres. Obama delivered a speech on the same topic.

Current Events

YOUR SAFETY AT STAKE

ISIS: Last week, two Americans were reportedly captured fighting with ISIS in Syria – a reminder of the terrorist group’s powerful ideology despite loss of territory.

How It Impacts You:

Your Money: Home loans and small business loans maybe delayed due to lack of gov’t forms through IRS. Fewer IRS workers could lead to delayed refunds.

Current Events

WHEN WILL THE SHUTDOWN END? Nobody knows! Congressional representatives and senators ARE paid during the shutdown. Congress gets back to work late Tuesday. If the shutdown extends beyond next weekend, it will be the longest in history.

MAJOR RESIGNATION

A day after President Trump announces the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, Secretary of Defense James Mattis hands in his resignation letter.

Sec. Mattis will leave at the end of February.

What He's Saying

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Why Is He Leaving?

“Because you have the right to have a secretary of defense whose views are better aligned with yours … I believe it is right for me to step down from my position.”

Sec. Mattis

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What Else His Letter Says:

Calls out China & Russia as two actors who want to extend their “authoritarian model” of the world.

Says he values “treating allies with respect” & being “clear-eyed about maligned actors and strategic competitors.”

Mentions the importance of alliances like NATO, and the 74 nation Defeat-ISIS coalition.

Current Events

“During Jim’s tenure, tremendous progress has been made, especially with respect to the purchase of new fighting equipment. General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations. A new Secretary of Defense will be named shortly. I greatly thank Jim for his service!”

President Trump via Twitter

Current Events

Widely respected in the military for his 4-decades of service, Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis' upcoming departure raises many questions about what's next for the President's strategy in Syria, Afghanistan and beyond. Read Sec. Mattis' resignation letter for yourself.

Healthcare Havoc?

A federal ruling declares the Affordable Care Act as unconstitutional.
What does this mean for America’s healthcare?

Current Events

Timeline

2010: Affordable Care Act (ACA), aka Obamacare) signed into law

2012: Supreme Court held the ACA’s “individual mandate”, which requires people to buy insurance or pay a penalty, is constitutional under Congress’ power to tax.

2017: Congress eliminated the ACA tax penalty as part of the GOP’s tax overhaul in December.

Current Events

The Latest

In February, 20 states (led by TX) sued to have the ACA declared unconstitutional after the tax penalty for the uninsured was removed.

On Friday, a federal judge ruled that w/o the tax penalty, the ACA is no longer a valid exercise of Congress’ power, & because it cannot be separated from the ACA, declared the entire ACA unconstitutional.

Current Events

“Today’s ruling halts an unconstitutional exertion of federal power over the American healthcare system…. which will give President Trump and Congress the opportunity to replace the failed social experiment with a plan that ensures Texans and all Americans will again have greater choice about what health coverage they need and who will be their doctor.”

TX Attorney General Ken Paxton

Current Events

“Today’s ruling is an assault on 133 million Americans with preexisting conditions, on the 20 million Americans who rely on the ACA for healthcare, and on America’s faithful progress toward affordable healthcare for all Americans… The ACA has already survived more than 70 unsuccessful repeal attempts and withstood scrutiny in the Supreme Court.”

CA Attorney General Xavier Becerra

Current Events

Now What? Nada! All of the people insured under the ACA or the state marketplace insurance plans remain insured. Last week's ruling is NOT final and will be appealed. ACA is still the law of the land and it will remain so unless it is repealed or the Supreme Court strikes it down.

“Were we not to put the pressure on Al Qaeda, ISIS and other groups in the region that we are putting on today, it is our assessment that in a period of time their capability would reconstitute. They have today the intent and would have in the future the capability to do what we saw on 9/11.”

Gen. Dunford, nation's highest military officer, explaining broader threat of terrorist groups & why he says the U.S. should not withdraw from Afghanistan.

Current Events

Attacks against al-Qaeda's branches in Somalia & Yemen both increased under Pres. Trump. However, the administration is negotiating directly with al-Qaeda ally, the Taliban, in Afghanistan.

BORDER BATTLE

Debate over security at the U.S. Southern Border hits center stage in Washington D.C., as the death of a child highlights a crucial challenge of our times.

What To Know

Current Events

BIG PICTURE: NOVEMBER

25,000+ “family units” apprehended at border. Family units = # of individuals (adult or child) apprehended with a family member.

5,200+ *unaccompanied* children (under age of 18) *also* apprehended at border.

Family Units or children = more than half of the total 51,856 border apprehensions.

Current Events

Why So Many Families?

“Central Americans know they will have a better chance of avoiding deportation, at least temporarily, if they are processed along with children.” ~ Washington Post

In 2018, Guatemala had the most illegal border apprehensions.

Guatemalan community leaders worry some children are victims of human trafficking. (WAPO)

Current Events

Child Death: Details

7-year-old Guatemalan girl died at hospital Dec. 8, in custody of U.S gov’t.

She traveled with her father, part of 163 people who turned themselves over to 3 border patrol agents in an extremely remote part of New Mexico.

50 children in group, traveling without parents or guardians.

Current Events

“Please, we are begging you, present yourselves and your children at a port of entry and seek to enter legally and safely.”

Statement from Dept. of Homeland Security, mapping out events of the death of a 7-year-old girl while in the custody of border patrol. Border Patrol says they've rescued more than 4,300 people in the past year.

Something To Consider:

Death of little girl highlights the record increase of family units illegally crossing border (& whether Border Patrol has appropriate resources to handle).

Debate this week will focus on funding for a border wall or fence as immigration reform remains illusive to both parties.

Current Events

Congress has to agree on a funding bill by Friday to avoid a partial gov't shutdown. Pres. Trump wants $5B for a border wall; Democrats want to extend current border security funding at $1.3 or a new funding level as high as $1.6B.

Special Counsel Investigation Update

As Pres. Trump’s former personal attorney (Michael Cohen) faces sentencing, a look back at what’s happened in the nearly 19 months since Fmr. FBI Dir. Robert Mueller was appointed to lead the Special Counsel investigation.

Current Events

Where Does The Investigation Stand Today?

Indictments: 36 (incl. Russians).

Cost: $17M through March 2018 (latest data available).

Guilty Pleas: 6 people linked to Pres. Trump, most of whom are former associates or advisers.

Prison Time: 3 people received sentences adding up to about 7.5 months. Cohen faces many years when he’s sentenced Wednesday.

What Does It Mean For Pres. Trump?

Recent gov’t filings implicate Pres. Trump in his fmr. attorney’s (Michael Cohen) campaign finance law violations, however, to date, there is no indication that he committed a crime OR colluded w/ Russians.

Something To Consider: According to DOJ, a sitting president can’t be indicted, but he can be impeached.

Current Events

Special Counsel investigation could have an impact outside the courtroom. House of Rep. has the power to introduce impeachment charges for federal officials who are suspected of committing a crime or acting improper. Senate decides whether or not to convict.